Operating lamp



Dec. 5, 1933. w. LuxMoRE 1,937,585

OPERATING LAMP Filed'Aprl 20,1931 "'ssnebts-snevet 1 DeC- 5, 1933- w;LuxMoRE OPERATING LAMP Filed April 20, 1931 Dec. 5, 1933. w. LuxMoREOPERATING LAMP Filed. April 20, 1931.

3 wikis-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT 'o1-FICE-orEnA'rmG LAMP William Luxmore, Chicago, Ill. Applicatimnpru zo, 1931.serial No. 531,299.

3 ciaims.

.This invention relates to operating lamps and more particularly tolight projecting lamps adapted for use by physicians, surgeons anddentists for facilitating observations of partsof the human body to betreated. It will be understood that my invention may be advantageouslyemployed for 'many other analogous PUIDOSeS- An object of this inventionis the provision of l0 an improved operating lamp of the type aboveidentified, which is adapted to direct a powervful beam of light on thepart of the body being operated upon, such, for instance, as in themouth of the'patient while the teeth are being repaired.

Another object is the provision of such a device which permitssubstantially universal adjustmentof the light beam and which device,although capable of producing a powerful light,

may be employed Without obstructing the line of vision of the operator.

A further object is the provision of such a lamp having means toinsulate the light source in such a way that the heat of the light isshielded from the operator, and means for facilitating cooling of theinstrument so that the lamp may -be handled without danger of injuringthe operator or the patient.

Lamps heretofore used have been equipped with small bulbs which do notproduce adequate light and which, because of their manner of mounting,are in the way of the operator. By using a larger bulb in the lamps ofthe prior art, the lamps, because of- 'their increased size obstruct theview of the operator, and they are also too hot to position close enoughto the patient to be effective. My improved light producing deviceovercomes these objections and produces a. very powerful, accuratelydirected beam of light.

This device may be placed close to the patient without exposing thepatient to excessive heat and it may be employed in the mostadvantageous positions Without obstructing the view of the operator.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention,

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the instrument and portions of thesupporting bracket showing other portions of the bracket in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a top plan of the housing or casing in which the source oflight is mounted;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan of the casing shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 41s elevation of an adapter by which the supporting arm may bemounted on a stand or chair post;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line ,5-5 of Fig. 1 andshowing portions thereof in elevation;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of my improved light projecting instrumentillustrating one mode of its application;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section through a modied form of my invention;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7 andshowing the light bulb linplan; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of projectingtube.

In the preferred form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 1, I haveshown' a source oflight consisting of a projection bulb 5 which ismounted in a prefocusing socket 6 of any satisfactory commercial type.The socket 6 mounted on a bottom plate 'I which is provided with aplurality of Ventilating openings 8 through which air may enter thehousing or casing, designated as a Whole by numeral 9, for the purposeof cooling the housing. 0n the base plate 7 is also mounted a. suitabletype of switch 11 operable by the handle 12 for opening and closing acircuit through the conductors 13 and 14 and through the filaments 15 inthe bulb 5. The top plate 16 for the housing 9 is also provided with aplurality of Ventilating openings 17 through which heated air may passfrom the housing. The lateral wall 18 of the housing 9 is substantiallycylindrical in form and preferably consists of phenol condensationproducts commonly known as bakelite. This cylindrical portion 18 is heldin position by clamping bolts 2l which pass through the top plate 16 andhave threaded engagement with the bottom plate 7 as shown in Fi'g. 5.The top and bottom plates have portions cut away about their peripheryproviding recesses 22 and 23 into which the cylindrical portion 18 isadapted to fit and corresponding shoulders 24 and 25 for holding theportion 18 against lateral movement relative to the top and bottomplates. To accurately determine the correct relative positions of thebase '7 and the cylindrical portion 18, I. have provided grooves 10 and'l' into which is seated a pin 10.

The prefocusing socket 6 is held in position by /nuts and Washers 26 and27 which press the base portion 28 thereof into firm engagement with thebase plate 7. A cylindrical light and heat shield 29 having a lightopening 31 in one side thereof is preferably formed of aluminum orsimilar material and-is mounted in spaced relation to the bulb 110 5 andthe casing 9 by means of the clamping rods or bolts 21 which areprovided with nuts 33 on which rest the laterally extending ears 34 andthrough which the rods 21 pass. I

The vertical position of the shield 29 may be adjusted by adjustment ofthe nuts 33 on the rods 21. The lower portion of the shield 29 is alsoprovided with laterally extending ears 35 which also engage the rods 21for aiding in holding the shield in position. In order that an excessiveamount of light may not pass through the top of the housing 9, Ipreferably place a cap 36 on the top of the tube 5.

For the purpose of controlling and directing the rays of light passingthrough the opening 31 in the shield 29 from the filaments 15, I providea projection tube 38 having a flanged collar 39 which collar ispreferably curved to conform to the cylindrical surface of the portion18 and is secured thereto by bolts 41. The inner end of the tube 38 mayextend through the portion 18 and it is provided with a lens 42 forconcentrating the rays of light which pass through it and project themupon a focusing lens 43 in the forward end of the tube. The lens 43 isof such shape that the light is preferably focused on an areaapproximately three to ve inches in diameter at a normal workingdistance of one and a half to two feet from the lamp, but it may beadjusted if desired. The lenses 42 and 43 are preferably held inposition by spring wires 44 which are seated in grooves in theinnersurface of the tube 38. On the free end of the tube 38 is mounted a hood45 which is secured from longitudinal movement by a set screw 46extending into an annular groove 47 in the tube 38. However, the setscrew 46 is sufliciently short to permit rotary movement of the hoodabout the longitudinal axis of the tube 38. The hood 45 is provided witha suitable reflector 48, preferably a glass mirror and preferablypositioned at an angle of substantially 45 degrees to the longitudinalaxis of the tube 38 for directing rays of light from the axis of thetube 38 at an angle of substantially 90 degrees thereto, as indicated bynumeral 49 in Fig. 6.

By this arrangement, as will be readily understood, the end of the tube38 may extend laterally to a position beneath the chin of the operatoror to the cheek or forehead, if desired, in such a position, however,that it directs light to the point desired while-the light sourceremains out of the line of vision of the operator and a sufficientdistance away to permit ready manipulation of surgical or dentalinstruments. Also by employing the shielding and Ventilating arrangementdisclosed in Figs. 1 and 5, the casing or housing 9 remains at such atemperature that it may be readily handled for adjustment withoutinjuring the operator and may be positioned sufficiently close to thepatient to most eiectively direct light to the point required withoutcausing discomfort to the patient.

In order to hold the light projecting instrument in any desiredposition, I preferably provide a split clamping ring 51, slidablymounted in a groove 51a formed in wall 18 The two halves of ring 51 aresecured to T-shaped members 52 by bolts or rivets 53. The members 52 arefrictionally secured to the outer end of tubular extension members 54 bybolts 55 having wing nuts 56 thereon by which the friction of themembers 52 on the ends of the members 54 may be readily adjusted.Similarly the opposite ends of the tube 54 are secured to laterallyprojecting ears 58 on a vertically extending cylindrical supportingelement 57 by bolts 55 having wing nuts 56 thereon. The cylindricalportion 57 is mounted on a vertically extending -post 61 on the outerend of a swinging bracket 62, the inner end of which is provided with adownwardly extending post 63 adapted to t in a socket member 64 in awall bracket 65 or it may be positioned in the upper end of the tubularadapter 66, the lower end of which is mounted on a post or' the like 67of a stand or a. dental chair. The adapter is prevented from rotating onthe post 67 by a laterally projecting pin 68 passing through a recess 69in the lower end of the adapter.

In order to transmit electric current to the lilament 15, I haveprovided conductors 1 3 and 14 which may pass through insulators 71 inthe lower tube 54 and through the swinging arm or bracket 62, downwardlythrough the post 63'and to any suitable source of power.

In the modification of my invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the tube 5is similarly mounted in the socket 6 which is fixed in position by theclamping rods 21. In this form of my invention the housing for the bulb5 comprises a cylindrical member 75 preferably formed of translucentquartz which is capable of withstanding great heat and which,nevertheless, effectively insulates and shields the source of light andheat so that the instrument may be employed relatively close to thepatient. For the purpose of permitting ventilation through the housing Ihave provided openings 76 in the top plate 77 and a. multiplicity ofperforations 78 in the lower cylindrical portion 79 of the housing. Theportion 79 is provided with ring members 81 and 82 soldered o r weldedthereto, between which is positioned the complementary portions of thesplit friction clamp 83 which may be of resilient material and by whichthe casing or housing is adjustably secured. The ring 82 is providedwith a radially extending ange 85 von which is seated the cylindricalquartz member 75 and on which it is held by the clamping bolts 21. Atthe rear side of the member 75 is provided a recess 86 into which ispressed a portion 87 of the flange 85 to prevent rotation of the portion75 relative to the lower cylindrical portion 79.

The projection tube 91, shown in this modification, is provided with aplurality of perforatons 92 which serve for ventilation. The tube 91 isprovided with a collar 93 soldered or welded to the tube and having aflange 94 engaging the cylindrical portion 75. The inner end of the tubeis provided with a reinforcing sleeve 95 about which is tted a springwasher 96 which is held against the inner side of portion 75 by theforward edge 97 of a nut 98 having threaded engagement at 99 with thereinforcing sleeve 95. A lens 101 is mounted adjacent the inner end ofthe tube 91 by suitable mounting elements 102 which have portions 103engaging the lens at a plurality of points around its margin.

The free end of the tube 91 is provided with a. hood element 104 whichhas a cylindrical portion 105 extending into the end of the tube 91 andretained therein by a yieldingly held button 106 xed to a leaf spring107 which is secured by rivets 108 to the tube 91. The hood 104 isprovided with a focusing lens 104 and suitable reflector 48 as and forthe purpose hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1. Thismodication of my invention may be mounted in a similar way to that shownin Fig. 1 by adjustable extension arms 111 secured by bolts 112 to theT-shaped end 113 of the split clamping member 83. Electric current forthe bulb 5 may be introduced into the socket 6 through conductors 115and 116, the circuit of which may be closed by a suitable switch withinthe switch housing 117 and operable by the switch lever 118. Thespecific forms of switch and socket herein illustrated are no part of myinvention and are not, therefore, described in detail.

From the foregoing description it will be readily appreciatedthat thehousing in which the source of light is positioned may be rotatedthrough an angle of 360 degrees and in like manner the hood on the endofthe projection tube, together with its reector therein contained, maybe rotated through an angle of 360 degrees. By the mounting arrangementof the instrument as a whole it may be moved through horizontal andvertical planes which when combinedwith the possible movements of thecasing and hood makes it possible to direct the rays of light passingfrom the projection tube into substantially any direction. Referring toFig. 9, this is afragmentary sectional view of a modified form ofprojection tube which may be used in either of the devices de scribed.In actual practice where the operating lamp is used in dental work, Ifind that the focusing of the lens is not always desirable because thepresent lamp can be arranged to give such a strong light that theaverage focus is sufl'icient for all practical purposes. Where the lampis not arranged with an adjustable focus, there is no possibility of thelamp getting out of focus and furthermore no necessity for wasting timeendeavoring to focus the beam.

However, in close work it may be desirable to focus the beam-moreclosely to secure a stronger light and in such cases the projection tubemay consist of a pair of tubes 120 and 121 of metal or phenoliccondensation compound, the tubes 120 and 121 being adapted to engageeach other with sufllcient friction to retain them in any adjustedposition but sufliciently loose to permit a manual adjustment of thetube 121 in the tube 120. The other details of construction of the hoodand mirror may be substantially as described with respect to the otherprojection tubes, the lens 122 being retained in tube 121 by means ofcollar 123 having tongues 124 pressed out to engage the lens. The glassmirror 48 is likewise retained by the shoulder 125 on tube 120 and by ametal tongue 126.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an operating lamp in whicha large projection bulb may be employed but the structure of the lamp issuch that the lamp bulb may be disposed at one side of the operator andpatient and the light projected against the work by the projectionmirror. The projection tube is of such length and extends laterally fromthe casing in such manner that my invention makes it practical to employa very high power projecting bulb for the source of light without makingthe instrument cumbersome or objectionable on account of its sizebecause the instrument when employed in the intended manner asillustrated in Fig. 6, for example, will at all times remain outside ofthe line of vision of the operator and will be suillciently out of theway that the instruments may be used on the patient with facility.

It is conceivable that various modifications may be made in my inventionwithout departing from the principle thereof or the scope of theappended claims.

1. In an' operating lamp, the combination of an insulating base with aninsulating cover plate, said base and cover plate being formed withannular shoulders, an insulating tube adapted to fit against the annularshoulders on said base and cover plate, a prefocusing socket carriedbylsaid base, a standard projection bulb carried by said socket, a heatshield surrounding said bulb and having an aperture for emission oflight from said bulb, a pair of rods securing said baseand coverplate inclamping relation upon said tube, said rods supporting said shield, anelongated laterally projecting tube carried by said first mentionedtube, a condensing and a focusing lens carried by said latter tube, anda reflector carried by the end of said latter tube and adapted toreflect light from said bulb in a lateral direction whereby the bulbcasing may line of vision.

2. An operating lamp comprising a substantially cylindrical casing forenclosing a source of illumination, a laterally projecting tube carriedby said casing and adapted to be disposed in the line of vision of theoperator, said tube being located in substantial alignment with thefilament of aV source of illumination in said casing, a lens carried bysaid tube and adapted to project the illumination from said sourcelongitudinally of said tube out of the end of said tube, and a mirrorangularly arranged across the end of said tube and adapted to reect theprojected beam transversely to the direction of the tube to produce aspot light on the work, said mirror being carried by a hood, and saidhood being rotatably 'mounted with respect to said tube whereby saidmirror is adapted to. direct the spot light in any of a multiplicity ofangular directions radially of the axis of said tube, said casing beingprovided with an' annular supporting shoulder and a pair of clampingmembers slidably engaging said casing below said shoulder for rotatablysupporting ysaid casing for rotation about the axis of said casingwhereby said spot light may be Worked in any directio 3. An operatinglamp comprising a substantially cylindrical casing for enclosing asource of illumination, a laterally projecting tube carried by saidcasing and adapted to be disposed in the line of`vision of the operator,said tube being lo-v cated in substantial alignment with the filament ofa source of illumination in said casing, a lens carried by said tube andadapted to project the illumination from said source longitudinally oi'said tube out of the end of said tube, and a mirror bedisposed at oneside of the angularly arranged across the end of said tube

